The recently-implemented security system at Blowing Point Port, where hundreds of people pass through daily between Anguilla and St. Martin, is going relatively smoothly with the cooperation of all persons. The only exception is that some times a shortage of staff has made it difficult to man all the areas of work.

Dale Rogers

This is according to Dale Rogers, Manager of the Port. He oversees security there acting on directives from the Superintendent of Ports, Ambrose Richardson, who is also the Head Port Security Officer and is mainly based at Road Bay where security measures are also in place.

Mr. Rogers said there were now seven security officers at Blowing Point, but that the number would shortly be increased to ten. They work on two regular shifts and arrangements are being made for an overlapping shift from midday when the cargo boats arrive from St. Martin.

Replying to a question from The Anguillian, he said that not every passenger passing through the security was searched. “Right now because we are just at security level one, we do something like a 40 percent search and any suspicious-looking passengers would be searched in addition to probably 4 out of every 10,” he explained.

Tasmania Richardson with passenger George Brooks

At present the hand-scanner is used to detect such metal objects as knives and guns which may be carried by persons on their bodies and in their hand baggage which is also searched. It is understood that some knives and other sharp-edged tools, including scissors, were taken from some persons. But Rogers feels that they may not have been intended to harm anyone. Some cannabis was also seized.

Apart from the hand luggage, the other baggage goes straight to the ferryboat. Normally this should be channelled through a security machine like the one at Wallblake Airport but the passenger facility at Blowing Point is not big enough to accommodate it.

According to Mr. Rogers, the terminal will be expanded to provide more space for the security area at the seaport. The whole of the present area will eventually become the departure lounge.

“When that is completed, we will try to encourage passengers to get here in advance of the departure of the ferries. One of the problems we find is that if a boat is leaving at 10 o’clock, for some reason, everybody turns up five minutes to the hour,” he said.

The security system came into operation in Anguilla on July 1 this year in keeping with international maritime regulations to guard against terrorism. While passengers travelling on the ferries to Marigot, St. Martin are searched, those coming to Anguilla are not. Their travel documents are however examined as they board the boats. Some times a few persons coming in may be given security checks if they are under suspicion.

At present a security building is under construction at the Marigot Pier and it is expected that from January next year persons traveling to Anguilla will be required to submit to security searches.

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